A fire broke out at an ammunition depot in Chad and caused a major explosion, causing casualties, a senior government minister said.
Foreign Minister Kulamala Abdulrahman said the fire broke out at a military base in the N’Djamena Guj area of the capital.
President Mohamed Idriss Deby expressed his condolences to the victims and their families, but did not specify the number of casualties.
Footage, not confirmed by the BBC, showed the explosion lighting up the night sky.
Witnesses said they could be heard miles away.
An AFP reporter said the fire caused weapons to be fired into the air.
A French official, who requested anonymity, also told the agency that “munitions of all calibers exploded”.
One resident told Reuters he saw three injured people on the street, while another said his neighbor had been killed.
“The huge explosion woke us up,” said Mustafa Adum Mohammed.
“Our house was shaking, as if someone was shooting at us. Then we saw a fire in the military camp, smoke coming out, and something exploding in the air,” he said.
“We could see the cannons flying over our heads.”
Foreign Minister and government spokesman Kullamala Abdulrahman urged people to remain calm after the explosion.
President Deby wrote on Facebook: “I wish the souls of the victims rest in peace, express my sincere condolences to the grieving families, and wish the injured a speedy recovery.”
The cause of the fire is unclear and the president has promised an investigation.
